SNAP 2008 – Info & Test Papers

ABOUT SNAP
Symbiosis National Aptitude (SNAP) Test is a mandatory written test for admission into any postgraduate programme offered by the institutes of Symbiosis International University. However, it is only the first step. In addition, a candidate has to undergo the selection process of the desired institute to qualify for the admission to the postgraduate programmes of that institute. This test is held under the guidance of SIEC Deemed University.
The SNAP Test consists of 150 objective type questions with multiple choice answers. The duration of the SNAP is 120 minutes. The minimum qualification required for appearing for the test is – one should be a graduate from a recognised university with a minimum score of 50%, or for candidates belonging to the SC/ST category a score of 45% in graduation is essential to apply.

INSTITUTES THAT ACCEPT SNAP

1. SYMBIOSIS INSTITUTE OF BUSINESS MANAGEMENT (SIBM)
2. SYMBIOSIS INSTITUTE OF COMPUTER STUDIES AND RESEARCH (SICSR)
3. SYMBIOSIS INSTITUTE OF MEDIA AND COMMUNICATION (SIMC)
4. SYMBIOSIS INSTITUTE OF INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS (SIIB)
5. SYMBIOSIS INSTITUTE OF MANAGEMENT STUDIES (SIMS)
6. SYMBIOSIS CENTRE FOR MANAGEMENT AND HUMAN RESOURCE DEVELOPMENT (SCMHRD)
7. SYMBIOSIS INSTITUTE OF TELECOM MANAGEMENT (SITM)
8. SYMBIOSIS CENTER OF INFORMATION TECHONOLOGY (SCIT)
9. SYMBIOSIS INSTITUTE OF OPERATIONS MANAGEMENT (SIOM)
10. SYMBIOSIS INSTITUTE OF HEALTH SCIENCES (SIHS)
11. SYMBIOSIS INSTITUTE OF BUSINESS MANAGEMENT (SIBM)

PATTERN OF SNAP

1. Quantitative Ability, Data Interpretation & Data Sufficiency – 40 questions
2. Logical Reasoning & Analytical Reasoning – 30 questions
3. General Awareness: General knowledge, Current affairs, Business scenario – 40 questions
4. General English – 40 questions

RESULTS
Results for SNAP 2008 will be announced on January 10th 2008.

Click here for more details, free sample papers and more.

MAT Exam – Info & Free Test Papers

The All India Management Aptitude Testing Service (AIMATS), New Delhi has been conducting a Management Aptitude Test (MAT) on a national basis every year in the months of May, September and December since 1988. The Government of India has approved MAT as a National Entrance Test for admission to MBA and equivalent programmes. The Management Aptitude Test helps evaluate critical thinking skills which are typically relevant to management positions, including the ability to make smart business decisions, analyze and solve situational problems, monitor a budget and supervise and communicate effectively with others.

MAT Details

The MAT is an objective type test with multiple-choice answers. The minimum qualification for appearing in MAT is graduation in any discipline from any recognized University or equivalent recognized degree. A final year student in any undergraduate course (i.e. B.A, B.Sc., B.Com., B.Tech., etc) can also appear provisionally. Usually, there is a minimum percentage requirement in graduation, which is different for different MIs/University. The MAT score is valid for that particular session for most MI’s, but for AIMA-CME’s PGDM & PGDITM programmes, the score is valid for one year. MAT is conducted in all major cities in the country and in leading cities abroad.

Pattern of MAT – September 2008

1) Logical Reasoning – 40 questions

2) Quantitative Ability – 40 questions

3) Data Interpretation & Data Sufficiency – 40 questions

4) General Awareness – 40 questions

5) English Usage & Reading Comprehension – 40 questions

Results

MAT results are usually announced after 3 weeks from the date of the test. Candidates may view/download the MAT Score from AIMA.

Click here for more details, free test papers and more.

IIFT Exam – Papers & Info!

The IIFT test is conducted for candidates seeking to study at IIFT. The test is a multiple choice objective type written test (in English). Duration of the test is two hours. It will cover English Comprehension, General Knowledge & Awareness, Logical Reasoning and Quantitative Analysis. The test will be conducted in the following cities at the designated test centres – Ahmedabad, Allahabad, Bangalore, Bhubaneshwar , Chandigarh, Chennai, Coimbatore,Delhi, Dehradun, Guwahati, Hyderabad, Indore, Jaipur, Jamshedpur, Kochi, Kolkata, Lucknow, Mumbai, Nagpur and Visakhapatnam

The Indian Institute of Foreign Trade (IIFT) was set up in 1963 by the Government of India as an autonomous organisation to help professionalise the country’s foreign trade management and increase exports by developing human resources; generating, analysing and disseminating data; and conducting research. The MBA (IB) is a six trimester general management programme with a focus on international business. The Programme aims at providing a comprehensive coverage incorporating all the important areas and disciplines relevant to international business activities. The syllabi for MBA (IB) compares favourably with the syllabi of some of the world’s best International Business Schools.

For more information on the IIFT exam click here.

For free test papers of IIFT click here.

Click here to find out about other important dates and exams and practice with free test papers.

CAT Verbal Section Tips by Pravin Vedamuthu of IMS

In the last minute build-up to the Verbal Section of CAT 2008, we would do well to remember that CAT 2007 had 3 main ‘components’ to its verbal section, totaling 25 questions: verbal ability based questions (6), verbal reasoning based questions (7) and reading comprehension based questions (12). Each question with 5 answer choices had 4 marks allotted to it and a negative of 1 mark. Though CAT sections are not strictly timed, it is safe to say that one needed to allot 50 minutes per section so as to have the best chances to clear sectional cut-offs. So these 25 questions needed to be attempted over 50 minutes. The objective was to maximize score, not necessarily attempt all.

Over the years, Reading Comprehension (RC) based questions and Jumbled Sentences (JS) have been constant features in a CAT paper. For the last lap, it would be wise to take 1 ‘drill’ everyday on these topics. A drill will try to mimic the actual situation which you will face w.r.t these question types in the actual paper.

An RC drill would consist of a set of 4 passages with 3 questions each to be attempted in 25 minutes. A JS drill would consist of 4 questions on Jumbled Sentences to be taken in 10 minutes. While taking a drill, it has to be kept in mind that the idea is to maximize score under a pressure situation. After a drill is taken, you should compute your score. So 1 RC drill and 1 JS drill each day will need 35 minutes of your time and an additional 25 minutes for computation of the score and analysis. So 1 hour each day on drills.

Prepare a set of examples, w.r.t. all important grammar concepts focusing on errors. If you have every important concept error (e.g. mistakes in parallel construction, dangling modifiers, subject- verb disagreement, etc.) in the form of an example, you will be alert to these when you tackle the sentence correction questions.

For critical reasoning type of questions, it is absolutely necessary to be very clear about words like ‘inferred’, ‘implied’ and ‘implicit’ and how they play out in a CAT paper. Also, question types like ‘what, if true, would best support the author’s view…’, ‘what, if true, would provide the most compelling logical disproof of…’ ,‘all of the following support the author’s claim EXCEPT…’etc.

For vocabulary based questions, it would still be good to go through a wordlist and glance at especially those words which you have heard and read but were not sure about. It is of course past the time to learn completely new words.

Last but not least, remember that the CAT is becoming more and more rigorous and the questions more and more complex. It is less of a ‘speed game’ now and more of clear, composed and focused thinking free from biases and prejudices. It tests who has better reasoning in a stressful situation rather than who has ‘worked’ the most. So stay calm and do not panic. The test is not about ‘how tough or easy’ it is always about ‘how competitive’ and hence the most important thing is how to avoid meltdowns and not give fellow competitors a ‘competitive advantage’.

I wish you the very best of luck for CAT 2008.

Pravin Santosh Vedamuthu,
IMS Learning Resources
P.G – MICA

Courtesy: http://www.imsindia.com
Email: ims@imsindia.com

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Last Minute CAT Tips from Jaya Desai – IMS

The countdown to the CAT is akin to the countdown to a rocket launch- A lot of hard work has already been put in ;  there is a blend of  nervousness and excitement  ;an air of expectancy ….

Here are some tips that will hold you in good stead for D-Day:

Take two/three tests with a lot of emphasis on analysis:
After taking a national percentile ranking test like the SIMCAT, note down your total attempts within the allotted time frame. Then, arrive at the number of correct and incorrect attempts. You may feel as to why you should ponder over the correct attempts. Ah!there might be a faster or an easier way to do the same! Second, w.r.t the incorrect attempts, if the same has been due to oversight, tell yourself you will be more vigilant the next time. If it was the outcome of a blind guess, then you must resolve to steer clear of such an approach because of the spectre of negative marking. And last but not the least, if the incorrect attempt was because of lack of knowledge of the concept, then go back to your basics to that extent! Also, do not forget to have a kettle of tea or coffee next to you !

Work hard on areas of weakness and capitalize on areas of strength
If any of   the components ,i.e. Quantitative Aptitude, Data Interpretation or English, has been an area of concern, please do not hesitate to devote quality time to concepts. Sections you are good at, you can fine tune attempts a bit!

Read the Instructions page carefully on test day:
“Elementary, my dear Watson!” would say Sherlock Holmes! But test takers ever so often do not read the instructions  page carefully before zeroing in on a strategy. Reading this page is important from the point of view of knowing the marking system and the distribution of sections.

Keep away from the ‘Fixed Strategy’ approach:
Since the CAT does not have a fixed pattern with respect to number of questions, question type or the marking system, do not have a fixed way of approaching the test. The only cardinal rule that you need to keep in mind is start garnering marks in your kitty by attempting questions that you are sure about! Remember, there are always simple questions and absolute sitters in the paper, visible when you devote a couple of minutes scanning the questions.

Keep cool and do not succumb to paranoia:
Being in the right frame of  mind  is half the battle won! This is very essential because anxiety and negativity will kill the golden goose! You must be what a good manager is in times of crisis and uncertainty- cool, calm and collected. This will   help select the right questions.

All the best for a fantastic experience!
Jaya Desai,
Centre Head – IMS.

Courtesy: http://www.imsindia.com
Email: ims@imsindia.com

CLICK HERE FOR MORE CAT TIPS!!

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